Carnivale Mystique
Welcome to the Carnivale Mystique, where the bizarre, the horrifying, and the beautiful live and perform, side by side. Sink your teeth into seven stories of horror, mystery, suspense, and the paranormal: Wishful Thinking by P.M. Hernandez—Stuck in his family’s failing trapeze act with no future in sight, Bruno Fanucci wishes for a different life. Resigned to working at the Carnivale Mystique, Bruno’s world is turned upside down by the chance to have whatever his heart desires. Adalia by Tara Benham—The carnival provides the perfect opportunity for Adalia to share secrets long kept. However, after a visit to the fortune teller and an ill-fated Tunnel of Love ride, Adalia learns more about herself than she expected. Smoke and Mirrors by Kimberly Khadoo—After years of living in foster care followed by a stint as a clown in a traveling carnival, Samuel has come home to Devil’s Well and the people he loves. Will this be his last stop on the carnival circuit or will it be his last stop...ever? Devil’s Well by Mindy Sue—Life on the road is hard. When a hitchhiker comes upon a sleepy town, the excitement of the Carnivale Mystique becomes a dangerous obsession. Take a dip in the Devil's Well…hope you can hold your breath! M’Alice Manor by S.E. Summa—Mary Alice, haunted ride owner and wax sculptress, provides an invaluable service for the carnival—body disposal. As M'Alice Manor’s new figures stun visitors with grotesque realism, her mind is lost to rage and the need for revenge. The Monsters We Know by Amy Fortenberry—Emmy hates carnivals, but the Carnivale Mystique has something she needs—the Magnificent Madame DuVernay—her grandmother. Emmy inherited her grandmother’s ability to foretell death, and she needs help. What she doesn’t know is that there are darker abilities in her veins. The Caged Bird by Meg Farrell—When Coen took a roustabout job with the Carnivale Mystique, he expected to work hard, make enough money to survive, and maintain his anonymity. He got so much more when he found the love of his life in the beautiful and mysterious Lyra. She’s the Caged Bird…and now he knows why she sings.
